Russell that's the rider I've been trying to remember,the bike had a frame which I think didn't have a front downtube,the engine was attached by the head and rear engine mountings

Yes that's my memory too. I'm reasonably certain I saw Peter on it at a '71 Brands practice day, maybe at at a meeting too. For some reason the thing that most sticks in my mind in connection with Peter was reading about him being in a lift that failed when at work. I think it may have finished his career.

I recall the Deeprose bike getting a fair amount of publicity when it appeared. I cant though recall why it was seen as innovative, particularly since engines suspended without down tubes were not then new. I wonder if it was some sort of cast alloy arrangement? Perhaps prefiguring Terry Shepered's design ?

I recall the Deeprose bike getting a fair amount of publicity when it appeared. I cant though recall why it was seen as innovative, particularly since engines suspended without down tubes were not then new. I wonder if it was some sort of cast alloy arrangement? Perhaps prefiguring Terry Shepered's design ?

Russell, I remember seeing pictures of the bike in mci, but think it was featured in motorcycle mechanics too. The frame was cast magnesium, with webbed supports around the headstock which was bolted to the head. The tank was an unusual angular, slab sided thing. The mci magazine was my favourite at the time, I loved Dave Minton's articles and Ray Knight's too.

I think I've got a photo of it somewhere taken at the roadracing show. I'll try to find it over the weekend.

I think you're right about Peter Cockram Russ, I remember him being in an accident involving a lift he was working on and never racing again.

Russell, I remember seeing pictures of the bike in mci, but think it was featured in motorcycle mechanics too. The frame was cast magnesium, with webbed supports around the headstock which was bolted to the head. The tank was an unusual angular, slab sided thing. The mci magazine was my favourite at the time, I loved Dave Minton's articles and Ray Knight's too.

Curiously I've found nothing on the interweb on the bike, nor Peter, so it would be good if you can dig out a photo, Robin.

Not sure how far you go back, Johny, but do you recall Ray Knight writing about 'Red Plum' in MC1? This was Ray's account of grafting a 500 Enfield twin into an old 7R frame. I seem to remember the deadline was the Manx, which he made as well as finishing the race. Yes, lots of good stuff in that mag, much of which I read as a homesick youth in the antipodes. The serialised story of Alan Peck's racing career was particularly good I thought.

Curiously I've found nothing on the interweb on the bike, nor Peter, so it would be good if you can dig out a photo, Robin.

Not sure how far you go back, Johny, but do you recall Ray Knight writing about 'Red Plum' in MC1? This was Ray's account of grafting a 500 Enfield twin into an old 7R frame. I seem to remember the deadline was the Manx, which he made as well as finishing the race. Yes, lots of good stuff in that mag, much of which I read as a homesick youth in the antipodes. The serialised story of Alan Peck's racing career was particularly good I thought.

Russell, I don't go back quite as far as that, started reading mci in 1970 when I was fifteen and spending what little I had from my paper round on motorbike magazines. I can't remember 'red plum', but I do remember Ray saying once how he didn't realise how fast he could get round a corner, until a throttle slide stuck open on his Daytona. A favourite memory of Dave's was when he had his first go on a Kawasaki H1A. As I recall, he was talking about "the subtle art of throttle control, which most say with tongue in cheek. Well, take your tongue out of your cheek......etc" he described how it hit the power band and lifted the front wheel, whilst leaned over and headed for the ditch. I can't remember the exact words, just the sentiment, but years later I just had to find out for myself, bought one without a test ride.

Russell, I don't go back quite as far as that, started reading mci in 1970 when I was fifteen and spending what little I had from my paper round on motorbike magazines. I can't remember 'red plum', but I do remember Ray saying once how he didn't realise how fast he could get round a corner, until a throttle slide stuck open on his Daytona. A favourite memory of Dave's was when he had his first go on a Kawasaki H1A. As I recall, he was talking about "the subtle art of throttle control, which most say with tongue in cheek. Well, take your tongue out of your cheek......etc" he described how it hit the power band and lifted the front wheel, whilst leaned over and headed for the ditch. I can't remember the exact words, just the sentiment, but years later I just had to find out for myself, bought one without a test ride.

... do you recall Ray Knight writing about 'Red Plum' in MC1? This was Ray's account of grafting a 500 Enfield twin into an old 7R frame. I seem to remember the deadline was the Manx, which he made as well as finishing the race.

Sad to say, I'm old enough to remember the "Redplum hybrid" story Russell, quite a quixotic attempt but very interesting. Ray Knight used to wear those hideously-oversized goggles to get his specs underneath and I found it difficult for years to calculate just how good a rider he was : in the end he seemed to get better and better over a long career and had some quite good results, including the TT. Used to enjoy his proddie racing columns as well, and the ex-Hughes Trident he raced has turned up recently in boxes and articles about it featured in Classic Racer and Triple Echo. A good lad.

Russell, I remember seeing pictures of the bike in mci, but think it was featured in motorcycle mechanics too. The frame was cast magnesium, with webbed supports around the headstock which was bolted to the head. The tank was an unusual angular, slab sided thing. The mci magazine was my favourite at the time, I loved Dave Minton's articles and Ray Knight's too.

I didn't know about the magnesium frame, obviously where the name came from, it'll be interesting if someone knows more about the bike.

Russell, I've never ridden a race bike but I hope they're not as difficult to point the right way as an H1A. In 1st, 2nd and to an extent 3rd, the front wheel would lift about 5,000 to 5,500. I only ever glanced at the tacho after my first experience. This was ok in a straight line, but just a bit too exciting when leaned over and just forget about the wet. I tried to master it, but gave up in the end once the novelty wore off, sold it and bought a tandem.

Russell, I've never ridden a race bike but I hope they're not as difficult to point the right way as an H1A. In 1st, 2nd and to an extent 3rd, the front wheel would lift about 5,000 to 5,500. I only ever glanced at the tacho after my first experience. This was ok in a straight line, but just a bit too exciting when leaned over and just forget about the wet. I tried to master it, but gave up in the end once the novelty wore off, sold it and bought a tandem.

I have an 338cc A7 , the H1A's little brother , whose performance isn't to shy of the 500 , the acceleration particularly similar , and the handling is much better , quite rideable in fact , and could run rings round most 500/650/750's of the day , much to the owners embarrassment , but yes , the H1 was not a joy to ride , but didn't one win the Proddy 500 TT ??